On a sun-kissed Sunday morning, hundreds of long and short boards – and even a kayak or two – lined the wall next to the Ocean Beach Pier as surfers of all shapes, sizes and shades of wetsuits zipped up for a paddle around the pilings. / PHOTOS BY THOMAS MELVILLE

On a sun-kissed Sunday morning, hundreds of long and short boards – and even a kayak or two – lined the wall next to the Ocean Beach Pier as surfers of all shapes, sizes and shades of wetsuits zipped up for a paddle around the pilings.

For the 26th year, the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter held its annual Paddle for Clean Water around the pier on Sept. 24.

The paddle is meant as a mass display of solidarity for the protection of the ocean and support for pollution-free beaches and waterways. This year, the paddle was focused on San Diego County’s environmental growth over the past 26 years.

“As a community, we have come incredibly far in coastline protection and preservation, but must continue looking to the future,” said Caroline Canter of the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter. “The paddle aims to remind us of our environmental history, raise awareness about current issues impacting our ocean and beaches.”

The morning’s festivities offered something for everyone – in and out of the water. A donation-based yoga class started the day on the beach, followed by a free light breakfast for all paddlers. At about 10 a.m., hundreds of ocean-enthusiasts of all ages got on their boards and made their way around the pier.

“This year's Paddle for Clean Water was a great success; we were lucky to have perfect weather and waves for the day and an amazing turn out of surfers, paddlers, beach lovers and ocean activists,” Canter said. “We had hundreds of attendees paddle around the pier to build awareness on advocacy efforts in the Tijuana River Valley and our Blue Water Task Force. We raised more than $6,000 for clean water initiatives and advocacy in San Diego County.”

Paddlers raised funds at give.surfridersd.org/campaign/paddle-for-clean-water/c133950 to support clean water initiatives in San Diego County. For more information, visit surfridersd.org.